Cape York & Torres Strait Explorer

Accommodation: Rossville Retreat - Camping

Meals: Lunch

Start the day with breakfast in Rossville, then meet a local Aboriginal guide for a cultural immersion experience. Begin with a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony, followed by a bush food and medicine walk, where your guide shares stories about the land and its deep significance. Try your hand at boomerang throwing and enjoy a cup of tea as you take in this unique opportunity to connect with Country.

Next, visit the Cooktown History Centre to learn about the town's historical importance, particularly its impact on Aboriginal history. From here, leave the lush rainforest behind as you travel to Laura, home to the incredible Quinkan Country rock art. This optional self-guided walk takes you to one of the world's top 10 rock art sites, recognised by UNESCO and listed on the Australian Heritage Estate. The paintings, depicting stories that date back tens of thousands of years, are well worth the challenging uphill walk.

Tonight, settle into a local campground and enjoy dinner with your group, reflecting on a day filled with cultural discovery and adventure.
Special Information: The walk to the rock art site is steep and rocky, requiring a moderate level of fitness. If you prefer to opt out, you can relax at the base of the hill instead.
Total travel time today: approx. 3hrs

Accommodation: Laura (camping)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Start your day with breakfast and then head towards Rinyurru Lakefield National Park. Upon arrival, take a step back in time at the Old Laura Homestead, which was established in 1879, and explore one of the park's most historically rich areas.
Next, make your way to Red Lily Lagoon, where you can observe various waterbirds and the striking pink lotus lilies that decorate the water. After a short walk, continue on to another tranquil lagoon, where a century-old mango tree stands as a reminder of a once-thriving family homestead.
Enjoy a relaxing lunch along the North Kennedy River before heading to Nifold Plains, known for its termite mounds and expansive grasslands. In the late afternoon, arrive in Coen, a small rural town located on the eastern side of the Cape York Peninsula, where you'll spend the night camping.

Accommodation: Exchange Hotel Coen (camping)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, continue your journey north towards Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park, home to Australia's largest expanse of lowland tropical rainforest, nestled within Cape York's wild terrain.
Stop at the Mount Tozer viewpoint for a short walk that offers panoramic views of the distant mountain.
Next, visit the tranquil coastal village of Portland Roads, a secluded spot surrounded by mangroves, known for its quaint local café. If the café is open, enjoy a coffee or light snack before making your way to Chilli Beach.
This vast, unspoiled beach is a favorite for fishing and birdwatching. Relax beneath the swaying palm trees while taking in the serene beauty of the coastline, before heading to your campsite for the night.

Accommodation: Iron Ranges basic National Park camping (drop toilets available, but no showers)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Consider starting your day early with a birdwatching excursion in the nearby rainforest. If you're fortunate, you might catch a glimpse of the rare palm cockatoo, red-bellied pitta, or yellow-billed kingfisher.
Just a short drive from your campsite is the Lockhart River Arts Indigenous Corporation. Since its founding in 1995, the artists at the Lockhart River Art Centre, known as 'The Art Gang,' have earned recognition for their unique contributions to the art world.
After your visit, continue on to your campground along the Wenlock River, where you'll spend the next two nights at Moreton Telegraph Station. This historic site was part of the Cape York Telegraph line, which was completed in 1887.

Accommodation: Moreton Telegraph Station (camping)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, journey to the Western Cape Cultural Centre in Weipa, where you'll gain insight into the history, culture, and traditions of the region's Indigenous communities. Through informative displays and artworks, learn about the centre's role in preserving traditional language and heritage.

Next, set off on a boat cruise through Cape York's mangrove-lined waterways, keeping an eye out for saltwater crocodiles and the diverse birdlife that thrives in this unique ecosystem. Along the way, discover more about the local culture and wildlife habitats from your expert guide.

After the cruise, visit Lake Patricia and take a short guided walk with your trip leader to explore the area. In the evening, return to your campsite on the Wenlock River, enjoy dinner with your group, and spend another night under the stars, surrounded by the sounds of the Cape York wilderness.
Special Information: The timing of the eco-cruise and the structure of the day may vary depending on the tides.
Total travel time today: approx. 4hrs

Accommodation: Moreton Telegraph Station (camping)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, journey to Kennedy's Lost Camp, where you'll learn about Edmund Besley Court Kennedy J.P., a 19th-century Australian explorer whose expeditions through Cape York ended in tragedy. Gain insight into his journey and the challenges faced by early explorers in this rugged and remote region.

Next, travel to Fruit Bat Falls, a stunning oasis nestled within Apudthama National Park. Take a nature walk around the lush surroundings or enjoy a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear waters—one of the few safe swimming spots in Cape York.

After your dip, continue north to the Jardine River ferry, crossing into Seisia, the northernmost mainland community in Queensland. With untouched beaches, calm waters, and swaying palm trees, this picturesque seaside location is the perfect place to unwind. You'll spend the next three nights at a local caravan park, with dinner tonight at the campsite alongside your group.
Total travel time today: approx. 4hrs

Accommodation: Seisia Holiday Park (camping)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today marks a bucket-list moment as you journey to Pajinka, the northernmost point of mainland Australia, also known as ?The Tip'. Take a scenic inland walk to reach this iconic spot, soaking in the incredible views and the sense of achievement that comes with standing at the very edge of the continent.

From here, continue to Somerset Beach and Fly Point, where you'll have the chance to relax by the water and snap some photos while keeping an eye out for resident turtles. Then, delve into history as you visit World War II plane wreckages, scattered across Cape York—a stark reminder of the Allied air bases that once stood here and how close the war came to Australian shores.

End the day with a visit to the remote Indigenous community of Injinoo (also known as Cowal Creek or Small River), followed by some free time to explore Bamaga, the main town of the Northern Peninsula Area. Stock up on snacks and essentials before returning to Seisia for another relaxing night by the coast.
Total travel time today: approx. 4hrs

Accommodation: Seisia Holiday Park (camping)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, take the local ferry to Thursday Island, the cultural and administrative hub of the Torres Strait Islands, located between mainland Australia and Papua New Guinea. Upon arrival, meet a local Torres Strait Islander guide for an immersive cultural experience. On a guided walk along Bayo Beach, learn about the history, traditions, and way of life of the Torres Strait Islander people, gaining a deeper understanding of this unique island community.

Enjoy some free time to soak up the island's tropical charm—perhaps try the famous crayfish toastie, a must-try local delicacy. In the afternoon, board the ferry back to the mainland, cruising through the stunning turquoise waters of the Torres Strait before returning to Seisia for your final night.
Special Information: The ferry ride takes approximately 2.5 hours and can be quite choppy. If you're prone to seasickness, consider taking medication beforehand. Additionally, be aware that certain items are restricted from being brought back to mainland Australia—please check regulations before departing Thursday Island.

Accommodation: Seisia Holiday Park (camping)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: n/a

Meals: Breakfast